Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. On Tuesday, 11 December 2007, the HSE published a report into allegations of physical and sexual abuse in the Brothers of Charity services in Galway, at the Holy Family School and Woodlands Residential Service at Renmore, Galway City and Kilcornan Residential Services, Clarinbridge, County Galway. The inquiry was established in 1999 when the Western Health Board and the Garda Síochána became aware of allegations of abuse within the Brothers of Charity services. Allegations were made in respect of a period between 1965 and 1998 by 21 clients at the Renmore and Kilcornan services against 18 people. Some 11 were members of the Brothers of Charity congregation, four were lay staff and three were former service users.

There was a serious delay in completing the report. It was initiated by the former Western Health Board in 1999 and no report was finalised until now. The HSE has apologised to the victims and their families for this delay. Dr. Kevin McCoy, retired chief inspector of social services in Northern Ireland, was commissioned in May 2006 to finalise the report.

See this speech in context